H.R.743 - Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act; Tim’s Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.743, also known as Tim's Act, aims to reform and enhance the pay, benefits, and overall support for Federal wildland firefighters. The bill addresses issues such as special base rates of pay, incident response premium pay, rest and recuperation leave, health provisions including mental health support, and retirement benefits. It also includes provisions for pay parity for Federal structural firefighters and establishes a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is improved recruitment and retention of federal wildland firefighters due to enhanced compensation and benefits. This could lead to a more effective and supported workforce dedicated to managing and suppressing wildfires. The bill also aims to provide better mental health support and long-term care for firefighters and their families.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced compensation and benefits for federal wildland firefighters, potentially improving their financial stability.
- Improved mental health support and access to healthcare for firefighters, addressing the psychological toll of their work.
- Establishment of a casualty assistance program to support the families of firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty.
- Increased recruitment and retention of qualified wildland firefighters, leading to a more effective wildfire management workforce.
- Pay parity for federal structural firefighters, ensuring fair compensation across different types of federal firefighting roles.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending due to enhanced pay and benefits, potentially impacting the federal budget.
- The complexity of the new pay structures and benefits programs may create administrative challenges.
- Potential for disparities or inequities in the application of benefits, requiring careful oversight and management.
- The cost of implementing the mental health programs and casualty assistance programs could be substantial.
- The bill's focus on federal firefighters might not address the needs of state and local wildland firefighters.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble), as it aims to provide for the well-being of federal employees engaged in critical services. Congress's power to legislate in areas necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8) supports the bill's provisions regarding federal employment and compensation. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).